Dr Hiroko Costantini joined the Institute’s faculty in 2018 as a Marie Curie Fellow, and is currently an Associate Professor in Department of Global Agricultural Sciences of the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Tokyo. Trained in social anthropology, her research examines the intersections of gender, inclusive community design, social sustainability, care, and social innovation in super-ageing societies. Methodologically, her work integrates qualitative inquiry, community-based action research, and design-oriented approaches to address complex societal challenges.

Costantini leads multi-stakeholder field projects in Japan and France, including community-engaged agricultural initiatives. These projects revitalise underutilised farmland, foster inclusive participation among older adults, and empirically assess impacts on well-being, frailty, cognitive health, and community resilience.

Her research also examines gendered roles and inequalities, as well as the implications of demographic ageing for rural livelihoods, care systems, and social sustainability. She collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders, including local governments, farmers, volunteers, companies, and international academic partners. She also contributes to teaching and curriculum development, with a focus on methodological innovation and qualitative approaches in design and sustainability education.

Before entering academia, Costantini worked as a national television anchor in Japan, including at NHK’s Tokyo Headquarters, one of the country’s major channels, and remains active in public engagement. Her research on gender and care in Japan and France was fully-funded by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. She previously earned an M.A. at Harvard University, an MSc at University of Oxford, and a PhD at University of Cambridge.